SP-423 7/11
Feral Hog Transportation Regulations Jared Timmons, James C. Cathey, Nikki Dictson, and Mark McFarland* Texas AgriLife Extension Service The Texas A&M University System
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andowners in the Plum Creek Watershed For a list of approved holding facilities, visit of Hays, Caldwell, and Travis counties the TAHC website at http://www.tahc.state. sometimes ask themselves, now that I have tx.us/animal_health/feral_swine.html. hogs in my trap, what do I do with them? Male Feral Hogs The Texas Animal Health Commission Male feral hogs may be held for up to (TAHC) regulates the movement of feral seven days in an escape-proof pen or trailer hogs, holding facilities, and release on hunting (Figures 3 and 4). They can be sold to an preserves. A point of clarification is required approved holding facility, slaughter facility, as hunting preserves must have a hunting or authorized hunting preserve. An approved lease permit issued by the Texas Parks and holding facility can take them to slaughter or Wildlife Department. sell them to an authorized hunting preserve. Only male feral hogs may be sold to an Female Feral Hogs authorized hunting preserve. Movement and release of females (sows and gilts) and males (boars and barrows), are regulated differently. Think of females as the production factory contributing to increased feral hog populations (Figure 1). They may not be transported and released onto another property. They should be removed from the population. Female feral hogs may be held for up to seven days in an escape-proof pen or trailer (Figure 2). They can be taken directly to slaughter, or sold to an approved holding facility, who then takes them to slaughter.
Figure 1. Female and young feral hogs entering a corral trap. (Photo by Larry Lindsey)
*Authors are Extension Assistant; Associate Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist; Extension Program Specialist; Professor and Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, respectively.